Back From pilot schools to mentors: Expanding the Network of Democratic and Inclusive Schools in North Macedonia

From pilot schools to mentors: Expanding the Network of Democratic and Inclusive Schools in North Macedonia

Twenty-five schools across North Macedonia are taking on a new role as mentors, sharing their experience and good practices with 25 additional partner schools. This was the main focus of the first working meeting of the Network of Democratic and Inclusive Schools, held on 28 October 2026 at the Council of Europe Programme Office in Skopje.

The meeting brought together representatives of schools that, over the past three years, have worked to strengthen democratic school governance, inclusive teaching and respect for diversity through the first phase of the “Quality Education for All” project. In the new project phase, they will share the knowledge they have gained through mentoring, peer learning and practical co-operation.

Through interactive discussions and group work, participants reviewed achievements to date, their capacities and areas where further support is needed. Particular attention was paid to identifying new partner schools, taking into account geographical coverage, local education needs and challenges related to equal opportunities and preventing segregation.

The proposals put forward during the meeting will contribute to the selection of new partners and the planning of mentoring activities in 2027.

Established in March 2026, the Network is set to expand from 25 to 50 schools, with the aim of fostering long-term co-operation, the exchange of successful practices and school environments in which every child feels welcomed, respected and encouraged to participate actively.

The event was organised within the framework of the project “Quality Education for All – Building Democratic Resilience – North Macedonia”, implemented by the Council of Europe with financial support from Germany, in co-operation with national education institutions.

Skopje, North Macedonia 28 October 2026
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Roma Integration – Phase III is a Joint Project of the European Union and the Council of Europe. It aims to strengthen the capacity of governments in the Western Balkans and Türkiye to effectively address the multifaceted challenges faced by the Roma community through the implementation of comprehensive public policies. These policies encompass critical areas such as housing, employment, civil registration, as well as the green and digital transition.

The project will also assist the progressive implementation in the Western Balkans beneficiaries of the “EU Roma Strategic Framework for Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2020 - 2030”; the 2019 Declaration of Western Balkans partners on Roma integration within the EU enlargement process (Poznan Declaration) and subsequent commitments made by the governments at the annual ministerial meetings and endorsed within the Berlin Process Summits; and progress on fulfilment of Roma inclusion commitments taken under the negotiations Chapter 23. The project will also ensure that the necessary capacity is built at central level for the proper implementation, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting, the reinforcement of the co-operation with local authorities and the progressive alignment with all elements of the EU Roma inclusion policy.

The project will primarily focus on three areas of support:

  1. Mainstreaming of Roma issues in relevant public policies and the fight against antigypsyism;
  2. Support to Roma socio-economic integration and Roma equality in the areas of housing, education, employment, health, civil registration, and in the green and digital transition;
  3. The reinforcement of the institutional capacities of the governments to tackle challenges faced by Roma.

The specific outcomes aimed to be achieved through this project are as follows:

(1) Mainstreaming of Roma issues in relevant public policies and the fight against antigypsyism:

  • Antigypsyism is recognised and addressed through legislation, communication tools and institutions.
  • Institutional capacities of public servants are built on encountering antigypsyism.

(2) Socio-economic inclusion:

  • Employment of Roma is encouraged both in public and private sector including by piloted promising practices and through concrete measures to promote the formalisation of employment.
  • Legalization of informal settlements progresses in the Western Balkans and Türkiye is encouraged to be included among the priorities of the central-level governments in close collaboration with the civil society.
  • Civil registration is resolved for Roma in need through partnership with the governments, relevant local authorities, and civil society organisations.
  • Actions are mainstreamed into the Green Agenda Action Plan for the Western Balkans and the digital transformation agenda.

(3) Institutional capacities:

  • Policies and institutional arrangements dealing with Roma issues exist in the region.
  • Relevant monitoring, including in the national statistical offices, and reporting mechanisms are developed and properly functioning.
  • Budget for Roma planning and reporting is improved in the Western Balkans and Türkiye.
  • Regular regional co-operation ensured, and policies mainstreamed in socio-economic spheres, including regional high-priority issues and actions addressing the specific challenges of Roma.

The project will be implemented in seven Beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye and Kosovo[1], with the duration of 3 years (1 May 2023- 30 April 2026) and is co-financed by the European Union and Council of Europe and implemented by the Roma and Travellers Team, Council of Europe.

This initiative represents a continuation of the preceding two phases implemented by the Regional Cooperation Council, co-funded by the European Union and Open Society Foundations. The aim of the Phase III of the project is to further advance the integration and empowerment of the Roma community by addressing critical issues they face.

The project is based on the Council of Europe's Human Rights Approach principles, focusing on participation and inclusion, equality and non-discrimination, accountability, transparency, and access to information.

 

[1]This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

Contacts of the project team based in Strasbourg:

 Marina VASIC, Programme Supervisor

 Cristina MARIAN, Senior Project Officer

 Fanny Hoertz, Project Assistant

Contacts of the Project Officer for North Macedonia and for Montenegro:

 Mersiha USEIN, based in the Council of Europe Programme Office in Skopje

Contacts of the Project Officer for Serbia and for Bosnia and Herzegovina:

 Dragana JOVANOVIC ARIJAS,  based in the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade

Contacts of the Project Officer for Albania and for Kosovo [1]:

 Xhesika KORRA, based in the Council of Europe Office in Tirana

  Irena Ordev, Roma Integration Project Assistant, based in the Council of Europe Programme Office in Skopje